When planning your home renovation, you’ll have some difficult decisions to make. There are the design choices, such as paint colours and the use of materials throughout your home. And then there are the practical decisions, like where to source your items and whether to splurge or save.
One area that commonly trips people up is the difference between salvaged vintage items and faithful reproductions. If you’re striving for authenticity and original features, then you might assume that choosing salvaged vintage items is the way to go. But when it comes to creating a modern and livable home, this isn’t always the best way forward.
In this guide, we’re looking at some of the differences between salvaging original items and choosing faithful reproductions. We’ll also look at how you can avoid getting caught out paying over the odds for a “reproduction” that is nothing more than a poor quality knock-off.
Salvaged items are commonly found in scrap yards where they have ended up following a home renovation. Older properties are stripped and the leftovers are salvaged where possible. While this can be a great way to find some unique and original home decor items that are faithful to the time period you are trying to replicate, it isn’t always the best option.
Salvaged items are often very old and will have suffered extensive wear and tear. When it comes to door knobs, this could mean that the materials are ready to break down. They could already be broken so you’ll be spending a lot of money getting them back to working order.
Reproductions are modern items that have been designed and manufactured based on the original designs. This is a great way to keep vintage designs alive, while still offering quality products that will stand the test of time.
All of our vintage door knobs and vintage door hardware are based on original designs that we have salvaged. We reproduce them using materials that are authentic to the time period, while offering much-needed upgrades where possible to ensure they are cost-effective and long-lasting.
Perhaps the most common problem you’ll find when choosing salvaged items will be sourcing enough to meet your needs. When it comes to items like door knobs, you’re unlikely to find sufficient stock of the same design if you opt for salvaged door knobs. This means you’ll have to settle for mismatched items.
Another problem is the issue of broken or weakened stock. When it comes to door knobs, you want to be confident that they aren’t going to break unexpectedly. With salvaged stock, there are no reassurances that the items will stand the test of time. No company would offer a guarantee on a salvaged door knob, so you will be taking a risk that could mean you lose out on money.
When you choose faithful reproductions, the mechanisms will be brand new, so you don’t have to worry about the handle on your bathroom breaking at the worst possible time.
As our designs are based on salvaged items, we completely appreciate the appeal of finding a truly unique design in a salvage yard. This can be a great way to introduce unique elements into your home, such as an original fire guard or a unique lamp shade.
But when it comes to items where you need to order multiples – such as door knobs or door hardware – we recommend choosing faithful reproductions. This will allow you to create a cohesive look throughout your home without stressing about finding originals.
A few rungs below faithful reproductions, you’ll find cheap and mass-produced items. These will typically be poorly made from inferior materials. While they might look the part from a distance, they won’t offer the same reliability.
Cheaper materials are often used and they could even be made from plastic. When looking for a faithful reproduction, you should look for authentic materials like nickel and brass. These both age beautifully, allowing a natural patina to develop and evolve. Cheap materials will only tarnish or the plating might quickly rub away to reveal cheap materials below.
We offer the perfect balance between original designs and reliable manufacturing. We source our own salvaged items and then recreate them using the best possible materials available today.
Start your search for the ideal vintage door knobs, door hardware and accessories today. This is the perfect way to complete your home renovation project with beautiful designs that will stand the test of time.
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